Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics

Administrative Office - San Francisco

415-422-2592

Program Director: James Forcier, Ph.D.

Senior Associate Director: Gleb Nikitenko, M.P.A, M.A.

The Applied Economics (AE) curriculum equips students to apply economic reasoning and tools to organizational decision-making. Combining a foundation in managerial economics with an emphasis on competitive strategy, the Applied Economics program encourages the integration of coursework with workplace experience. Focus areas include principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics, international trade, economics for managers, statistics, forecasting, accounting, finance, and strategic management. The program is designed to be completed in 23 months.

Program Objectives

The AE major develops analytical skills critical to effec tive organizational functioning and strategic planning. Students address cutting-edge issues faced by businesses competing in the rapidly changing domestic and global economies. The AE program is unique among business and economics majors because it presents both theoretical and managerial economics topics along with an ethical perspective for addressing "real life" problems. While there is particular emphasis in some courses on economic and strategic issues arising in the "new economy," the coursework applies to all industries. The program grounds students in the mechanics of price determination, efficient resource allocation, economic data analysis, corporate financial management, and management accounting. These components strengthen students' ability to forecast, prepare for, and respond to challenges posed by heightened competition, deregulation, globalization, and post-indus-trialization in the private sector. The Applied Economics degree provides valuable preparation for career success and graduate education in business administration and law.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics, a graduate will have acquired:

• Enhanced business decision-making skills, particu-larly as they relate to competitive challenges in the domestic and global economies.
• An understanding of quantitative and forecasting methodologies, especially as they pertain to the application of competitive strategy.
• Knowledge of financial management techniques used in making business, operational, and invest-ment decisions.
• An awareness of competitive analysis and techniques for positioning a firm to maximize its profitability, market share, and operational strength.
• Knowledge of planning tools and approaches for designing and directing a firm's strategy.
• An understanding of macroeconomic indicators which enables students to dissect and predict the business cycle.
• Knowledge of international trade and investment and the financial methods employed by multinational corporations.

Program Requirements

Students are required to complete the 37 semester units of credit included in the Applied Economics program. Required courses are sequenced as follows:

• INTD - 307 Experience and Critical Writing
• INTD - 308 Advanced Expository Writing
• AE - 321 Microeconomics
• AE - 311 Macroeconomics
• INTD - 300 The Critical Thinking Seminar
• AE - 314 Statistics
• INTD - 304 Social Ethics
• AE - 326 Accounting for Managers
• AE - 328 Economics for Managers
• AE - 437 Financial Decision-Making
• AE - 440 International Trade and Investment
• AE - 492 Strategic Economic Analysis (capstone)
• AE - 490 Current Issues in Applied Economics

Please see Applied Economics Course Descriptions.

Degree Requirements

• Complete 128 semester units of credit.
• Complete the Applied Economics major requirements.
• Satisfy the Core Curriculum requirements.
• Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.